Pump lubrication mechanism



July 8 1924.

C. P. BROCKWAY PUMP LUBRICATION MECHANISM Filed Feb. 24 3 Sheets-Sheet l INIVEIN TOR. C ar] 1? Brock way BY M M ATTORNEY July 8 1924. 1,500,361

c. P. BRocKwAY PUMP LUBRI GATION. MECHANI SM Filed Feb. 24 1920 a Sheets-Sheet 2 E jl INVENTOR. 6 a P1 PBIOUICWQy ATTORNEY July 8 I924.

C. P. BROCKWAY PUMP LUBRI CATION MECHANISM Filed Feb. 24. 1920 3 Sheets-Shae; 3

? Power s sha t INVEN TOR. 1 Carl P. Broclcway BY (BM/M A TTORNEY Patented. July 8, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARL P. BROCKWAY, OFTOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO- INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH COR- PORATION, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

PUMP LUBRICATION MECHANISM.

Application filed February 24, 1920. Serial No. 360,882.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL P. BROCKWAY, a

citizen of the: United States, residing at Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pump Lubrication Mechanism; of which I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates-to improvements in.pump mechanism relating to refrigerating machines, particularly such as are adapted for use in plants of small size.

One of the objects of the invention is the arrangement of the compressor, condenser,

oil separators, reducing valve, and automatic cooling water controller into a unit, which is compact, and the different parts of which are easily assembled and readily accessible.

0 Another object of the invention is the provision of means for sealing the bearing in the machine casing, through which the power shaft extends, said means comprising bot-h a liquid seal and a thrust bearing,

the parts of which are held in close contact by the reaction of a large spiral driven gear against a small spiral driving gear.

A further object is the provision of means for transferring oil collected in the high pressure side of the apparatus to the low pressure side without permitting leakage of Still another object is the provision of an oil separator in the piston of the compressor rotating element of my oil transferring device.

Fig. III is a plan view of an oil separator employed in my invention.

Fig. IV is a view partly in elevation and partly in section on the line IVIV, Fig. I.

Fig. V is a plan view of the complete machine.

Fig. VI is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line VI-VI, Fig. IV, showing the means employed for maintaining the thrust bearing seated.

Fig. VII is a detail vertical section taken on line VII-VII, Fig. VI showing an oil gauge.

Fi VIII is a sectional View taken substaitially on the line VIII,-VIII, Fig. IV, an

Fig. IX is a detail view on a large scale showing in section the piston check valve and the oil separator located in the piston.

Similar reference characters refer to like parts throughout the views.

In the drawings, 10 represents a casting which constitutes the principal part of the casing of the machine. In the upper part of the casting there is formed the cylinder 11 0f the compressor pump. A piston 12 slides within the cylinder, being pivoted to a connecting rod 13, which is journalled at its lower end upon a crank pin 14 integral with a plate 15, which is bolted-to a flywheel 16. On the side of the latter, opposite the plate 15, is a concentric projection 17, rotatably mounted in a bearing in the casting 10. The crank pin 14 is integral with a crank 18 and a short shaft 19 journalled'in a plate 20 which is secured to the casting by means of bolts, a packing ring 21 serving to seal the joint. The chamber enclosed between the casting 10 and the plate 20 will be referred to hereinafter as the low pressure chamber.

The piston 12 above the piston pin has a spider 22 with a central cylindrical extenslon 23, in which slides the stem 24 of a check valve 25. A nut 26 is threaded upon the lower end of valve stem 24 to limit the movement of the valve. Around the cylin drical extension 23 is mounted an oil separator consisting of a series of alternately large and small conical plates 27 and 28 respectively, the large plates having openings therethrough near the center so that the gases in passing through the separator are forced to take a tortuous path. The oil The ring 30 closes normally one or more by-' passes 31, which communicate with the upper end of the cylinder 11. superposed upon the block 29 is a dome 32, from the top of which extends the condenser pipe 33. In the joints between the cylinder 11, block 29. and dome 32 are packing rings 34. The coil of condenser pipe 33 is enclosed by a dome shaped cover 35 which is held tightly to the flat top of casting 10 by screws 36. I

The lower end of pipe 33 is in communication through a hole 37 with a high pressure chamber 38, which is formed by a continuation 39 of the casting 10. Within the chamber 38 is an oil separator having a series of inclined deflecting plates 40 as clearly shown in I. These plates are mounted in a pair of overlapping body members 41 and 42, having attaching tabs 43, by which the separator is supported. The plates 40 are held in position by means of tabs 44 integral with the plates. which extend through slots in the body member, and are then bent down against the latter.

A portion of a top of the chamber 38 is closed by a casting 45, in which is formed the seat of the reducing valve 46. The valve itself has a downwardly extending stem 47, and an upwardly extending stem 48. On the stem 47 is a collar 49, against which bears a coil spring 50 tending to hold the valve seated. The top of the stem 48 bears against and supports a slidable solid cylinder 9 in tegral with a disk 51, upon which rests a diaphragm 52 that is resiliently pressed down by a relatively large coil spring 53, the compression of which may be regulated by means of an adjusting screw 54 mounted in the top of a dome shaped cover 55 fastened by screws to the top of casting 45. It will be observed that the valve seat is in communication with the high pressure chamber 38, and with a passage 56 on the other side, to which passage is connected the pipe 57 leading to the refrigerating coil, not shown. A small opening 58 connects the low pressure passage 56 with a chamber 59, across the top of which the diaphragm 52 is mounted. Below the valve seat" and "around the collar 49 and spring 50 is a Wire screen 60, shaped like an inverted trustum of a cone, which is placed here for the purpose of collecting oil particles from the gas passing therethrough.

The gas returning to the machine from the refrigerating coil is admitted to the low pressure chamber through a pipe 61.

The fly-wheel 16 has spiral gear teeth upon its periphery. with which mesh the teeth of a relatively small spiral gear 62 fastened by means of a pin 63 to a power shaft 64, which extends into the casing through one side wall. The opening between the shaft and wall is sealed as well as such means will permit by a packing gland 65. In order to prevent any possibility of leakage of the gas however, I employ additional means to insure a tight joint, comprising a liquid seal and a solid thrust bearing. The radial bearing consists of a casting 66 of any suitable material, secured tightly to the casing wall by means of screw bolts 67. In the casting is formed an oil receptacle 68 adapted to contain oil to a level well above the top of the shaft 64. In order to insure a full charge of oil in the receptacle 68 at all times, I provide a pan 69 (see Figs. IV and VIII) which is so arranged as to catch oil thrown by the fly-wheel 16 and deflect it sidewise into the receptacle 68. In order to hold the oil in the fly-wheel teeth until it is in a position to be thrown into the pan, I provide the casing with an inwardly extending curved wall 8 which approaches closely the periphery of the wheel. The seat for the thrust bearing is preferably a ground conical surface formed in the casing wall, although surfaces of other kinds may be employed without departing from the spirit of my invention. A collar 70 with a complementary conical ground surface is so mounted upon the shaft 64 as to be substantially integral therewith. When pressure is applied to the shaft in the direction of the broken arrow, Fig. VI, the two parts of the thrust bearing are forced into close engagement and prevent the passage of any gas, which by any chance might have leaked past the oil seal or through the joint between the casing and the casting 66. While the plant is in operation longitudinal pressure in the direction of the broken arrow is transmitted to the shaft 64 by reason of the reaction of the teeth on the fly-wheel against the teeth on the pinion 62, it being observed that the weight of the fly-wheel is greatly in excess of the weight of the pinion.

It is important that the oil collected in the high pressure chamber 38 be returned to the low pressure chamber Where it is needed for lubricating purposes. The

means which I have provided for accomplishing this function constitute an important partof my invention. The duct between the two chambers is indicated at 88. This duct is closed during the greater part of the time by a rotating element 89, which has a short shaft 90 journalled in and extending through the wall between he two chambers with adriving pin 91 joined to the shaft 17 of the flywheel in such a manner as to provide a slidable, but non-rotatable connection. For this purpose it is convenient to flatten one side of the pin 91 and to provide a similarly shaped socket in the shaft 17. The rotating element has an oil pocket 92 in its face so positioned radially as-to register with the mouth of the duct 88 and also with an opening 93 (see Fig. II) in the wall between the two chambers, which opening is in constant communication with the high pressure chamber. When the machine is in operation the high pressure in chamber 38 acts upon the rear surface of the rotating element 89 to hold it in close engagement with the wall, the two faces being preferably ground so as to present absolutely smooth contact surfaces. These surfaces I have shown flat, but this is by way of illustration only, as surfaces of other shapes could well be employed without departing from the spirit of my invention. A spring pressed plunger 94 bearing against a bar 95 upon the water valve casing assists in holding the rotating element 89 in place.

The machine may be charged with lubricating oil through a duct 71 which is normally closed by a screw threaded needle valve 72. A supply of oil may be carried in an oil cup 7 3 which is in communication with the duct 71 when the needle valve 7 2 is retracted. The amount of oil in the bottom of the low pressure chamber may be ascertained by inspection of a gauge 74:, Fig.

VII, which is threaded into an opening 7 5 in the base of the casing.

A cooling fluid, such as water, enters the machine under pressure through a pipe 76,

passes thence through an automatic regu lating valve and through pipe 77 into the base of the condensing chamber. The cooling fluid is drawn off through a drain pipe 78 extending upwardly to near the top of the condenslng chamber. While the water regulating valve forms no part of the pres ent invention, it will be briefly described. Water enters the valve chamber by way of a passage 79 and leaves by way of a passage 80. The seat for the valve 81 lies between and is in communication with both of these passages. The valve has a double ended stem, one portion of which is arranged to receive lon 'tudinal pressure from a plunger 82 acted upon by a spring 83, the compression of which may be adjusted bYLll'lEfil'lS of a nut 84. The opposite end 85. of the valve stem abuts upon a disk 86 bearing against the diaphragm 87. As will be readily understood the diaphragm 87, which is Operation.

The operation of my invention will be obvious to those skilled in this art. The refrigerant which I prefer to employ is ammonia gas, although I do not desire to be limited in this respect. The gas enters the low pressure chamber from the refrigerating chamber, not shown. through pipe 61. Upon the down stroke of the piston 12 the valve 25 opens and allows a quantity of gas to pass through the space above the piston head. On the up stroke valve 25 closes and the charge of gas is compressed until it overcomes the pressure in the dome 32 acting upon the inside of ring check valve 30, when the latter flexes suificiently to permit the compressed charge to enter the dome. In this manner pressure is built up low pressure side of the apparatus may be regulated by adjustment of the screw 54- A cloud of oil spray is maintained in the low pressure chamber continuously because of the churning of the oil at the bottom of the chamber by the fly-wheel and the lower end of the conne ting rod. By this means the piston and cylinder wall are satisfactorily lubricated. from the gas beingcompressed' is accomplished in the first instance by the separator in the piston. the large separator, in the high pressure chamber 38. while the final separation is made by the screen 60 surrounding the reducing valve. The oil which is taken from the gas by the two separators last men tioned collects in the bottom of the chamber 38 and when it reaches the level of the opening 93 it fills that opening. Thereafter at each revolution of the rotary element 89 a charge of oil is forced from the-opening 93 into pocket 92, from which it is discharged Further oil is removed by The removal of this oil into the duct 80 when the pocket comes into registration therewith. The sliding surfaces between the rotating element 89 and the wall between the chambers must be so accurately ground as to prevent any substantial leakage of gas from the high to the low pressure chamber.

I am aware that the particular embodiment of my invention above described. and illustrated in the accompanying drawing is susceptible of considerable variation without departing from the spirit thereof, and therefore I desire to claim my invention broadly as well as specifically as indicated by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In pump mechanism, a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber, an oil duct leadingfrom the former to the latter, and a rotating elementin said high pressure chamber normally closing said duct but provided with an oil pocket adapted to come into registration periodically with said duct.

2. In pump mechanism. a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber, one wall of said high pressure chamber having a smooth surface, an oil duct leading from said surface to said low pressure chamber, said wall also having an opening connecting said surface with said high pressure chamber, a rotating element having a complementary smooth surface in close engagement with said first named surface, and having openin therefrom an oil pocket, the location 0 the axis of rotation and of the pocket, duct and opening being such that said pocket registers with said opening and with said duct once during each revolution.

3. In pump mechanism, a high pressure chamber, a low pressure chamber, one wall of said high pressure chamber having a smooth surface, an oil duct leading from said surface to said low pressure chamber, said wall also having an opening connecting said surface with said high pressure chamber, a, rotating element having a complementary smooth surface, and having opening therefrom an oil pocket, the location of the axis of rotation and of the pocket, duct, and opening being such that said pocket registers with said opening and with said duct once during each revolution, said rotating element having a surface opposite the said smooth surface exposed to the pressure within said high pressure chamber.

4. In pump mechanism, a high pressure chamber, a low pressure chamber, one wall of said high pressure chamber having a smooth surface, an oil duct leading from said surface to said low pressure chamber, said wall also having an opening connecting said surface with said high pressure chamber, a rotating element having a complementary smooth surface, and having opening therefrom an oil pocket, the location of the axis of rotation, and of the pocket, duct, and opening being such that said pocket registers with said opening and with said duct. once, during each revolution, said rotating element having a surface opposite said smooth surface exposed to the pressure within said high pressure chamber, and resilient means for holding said surfaces in close engagement when the machine is not in operation.

5. In pump mechanism, a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber separated by a wall, a rotatable shaft in said low pressure chamber having a bearing in said wall, said wall having a smooth surface opposite said bearing pierced by a second bearing, co-axial with said first named bearing, a rotatable element having a smooth surface in engagement with said first named surface and having a shaft extending through said second bearing, a slidable and non-rotatable connection between said shafts, said wall having an oil duct leading from its smooth surface to the low pressure chamber and an oil opening connecting its smooth surface with the high pressure chamber, said rotating element'having an oil pocket opening from its smooth surface, the pocket, duct and opening being so positioned that the pocket will register with the duct and opening once during each revolution.

6. In pump mechanism, a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber separated by a wall, a rotatable shaft in said low pressure chamber having a bearing in said wall, said wall having a smooth surface opposite said bearing pierced by a second bearing, co-axial with said first named bearing, a rotatable element having a smooth surface in engagement with said 'first named surface and having a shaft extending through said second bearing, a slid-- able and non-rotatable connection between said shafts, said wall having an oil duct leading from its smooth surface to the low pressure chamber and an oil opening connecting its smooth surface with the high pressure chamber, said rotating element having an oil pocket opening from its smooth surface, the pocket, duct and open ing being so positioned that the pocket will register with the duct and Opening once during each revolution, said rotating element having a surface opposite said smooth surface exposed to the pressure within said high pressure chamber.

7 In pump mechanism, a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber separated by a wall, said wall having an oil duct therethrough, a rotating element in said high pressure chamber having a smooth rhaniber and a low said duct once during each revolution, and means for charging said cup with oil.

8. In pump mechanism; a high pressure pressure chamber separated by a wall. said wall having an oil duct therethr'ough, a rotating element in said high pressure chamber having a smooth surface normally closing the mouth of said duct, said rotating element having an oil cup adapted to come into registration with said duct once during each revolution, and means for charging said cup with oil, said rotating: element having a surface opposite to said smooth surface exposed to the pressure within said high pressure chamber.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature. Y

a, e CARL, PJBROVGKWAY. 

